Led by grapes
Indian fruit exports rise by 40%
The data compiled by the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) showed fresh fruit exports jumped to 487,441 tonnes ($403 million) in April-December 2016 against 348,675 tonnes ($335 million) in the corresponding quarter last year.
“We expect this season to remain very good on bumper production,” said Subhash Arve, president, Maharashtra Grapes Growers Association. “But the climate is still crucial for the growth of sucrose (sweetness) in grapes. With increasing day-time temperatures, the sucrose content is expected to grow fast, which would ultimately help ramp up exports.”
Exports of grapes from India were estimated to have jumped 15-20% this season, following crop damage in exporting countries such as Chile and South Africa.
India also started shipping fruit to China, a market that opened for Indian exporters last year. Advanced Estimates of the Ministry of Agriculture has forecast grapes output to set a record of 2.64 million tonnes for 2016-17, against 2.59 million tonnes last year.
source: business-standard.com
